Expression device for player-pianos and the like.



C. P. HIDDEN. EXPRESSION DEVICE' FOR PLAYER PIANOS AND THE LIKE.

APPLICATION FILED FEB. 8, 1910.

Patented July 7, 1914.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

Wall f Yr. mi;

/N VE N TOI? C. P. HIDDEN.

EXPRESSION DEVICE FOR PLAYER PIANOS AND THE LIKE.

APPLICATION FILED PEB. a, 1910.

'1,102,661 Patented July 7, 1914.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

vices for pneumatic player pianos and the incassi;

' Blz are@ CHARLES P. .HIDDEN, OF NEW' YRK,

EXPRESSION DEVICE FR LJYERf-PANGS N3D THE LIKE.

Specification .of Letters Patent.

Patented July "X, 19t/ii..

application aies @february ls, raie. semi ist. eea'zee.

To all whom t may concern.:

Bev it'k'nown that l, Cininnns P. Hmmm, a citizen of the United States, residing at New York, in the borough of Manhattan and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in EX- prcssion Devices tor Player-Ramos and the like, of which the ollowing is a full, clear, and exact description.

This invention relates to expression deof subdued `tones as is the case when stripsof felt, for example, arer interposed between the hammers and strings; or when the hammer stroke is shortened.

The operating mechanism for my device is substantiall concealed with the exception ot the operating handle therefor, andthe latter is sov constructed that it may be hidden fromi'view beneath the piano front when not in use.

Further objects and Aadvantages of my invention will be hereinafterset forth, and presented in the annexed claims.

Referring,- to the drawings, which form a part hereof, and in which like characters designate like parts throughout the several views: Figure l i-s a somewhat diagrammatic section showing one form of my device appliedto a player piano. Fig. 2 is a frag.

mentary elevationof' a group of pneunfiatic valve cells, showin-g the relative disposition of 'the controlling valve stems which cooperate therewith. Fig. 3 is a fragmentary elevation et a portion of the indicating;v mechanism. Fig; 4- is a perspective view ot aguiding' sleeve sedi-n connection with the handle sha-tt. 5 is a iiragmentary partial section oi the upper handle drawnto an enlarged scale, and showing the valve structure therein. 6 is a rear elevation. ot'

l end or the with: such means. Fig. I9 is an elevation of iortion oii the l3supporting lagged collar therefor. Fig. Z

is a plan of the drum rotating mechanism. Fig. 8 is a fragment oit' music roll showing the lines thereon to be used in connection with my. expression device. Fig. 9 is a perspective view of a fragment of my spirai core. Fig. 10 isa perspective view ot a fragment of 4the spiraled valve-operating sleeve or cover. Fig. 1l is a perspective View of a section taken through said cover on Fig. 13 is a perspective view of one end of my spiral supporting core, showing one iorm oi slot expanding rod, usable in connection therewith. Fig. la is a perspective view oi' one end the assembled spira-isti parts, showing a driving sprocket in position on the enpander rod. Fig. l5 is a perspective diagrammatic view showing the arrangeof the valve controlling apparatus and connections for the saine. Fig. 16 is a section or. the expander lever showing 3' one or the pivoted sockets thereon. Fig. 17

l is a section. taken online iii-17 of i8,

showingu naoditied form ot' my spiral slot expanding; means. Fig. i8 is a view of one spiraled cover used in connection lone end of a spiraled cover showing' the straight torte effect groove .therein-g and Fig.' is section taken through the air 'l conduitsyand a valve cell of a modified torna of this portion of my device.

Referring now to Fig. l, the roll bon is `slfiown at l having,- rolls 2 therein passing i over a tracker 3, which has the usual tubing t connected thereto, each. of said tubesd 'g being secured to nipples 5 in the usual inanner. Each nipple 5 leads into Aits respective diaphragm, bleed-holed pocket 6, the diaphragm beingA shown at 7; said diaphragm being adapted to operate the valve 8, and thereby cause the air to be withdravni` from pneumatic 9 in. well known'- manner. in: stead of having the common conduit which is used toI withdraw air from pneumatics 4termed as a single extended passage, di-

vide thel casing 10' thereot into three tiers by paralleli webs 11 and i2, said webs pretsaid handle, aand 'the' lmatic'a Sina-ll chamber in which the valve i line il--il oic Fig. l0. Fig..l2 is a similar l section taken en line 2-l2 of Fig. l0.A

8 is adapted to reciprocate. Above the web 11 is the conduit 14, which I preferably connect to a bellows or vacuum chamber of any description by means of a nipple or nipples 15. Correspondingly, below the web 12, extends the conduit 16, which is in like manner connected to another bellows or vacuum chamber 17 by a nipple or nipples. The bellows have not been shown, as they may be, in so far as this disclosure is concerned, of the usual construction, well known in the art. Conduit 14 is preferably connected to the bellows having the higher vacuum therein, and hence, may be termed the high vacuum conduit. Between each of the partition walls 13, and preferably approximately central thereof, extends a valvestem 18 bearing in this form of my device two valves 19 and 20, of approximately the same diameter.' An opening 21 is disposed in alinement with each of said valve stems in the upper side of the casing 10, and a corresponding series of openings 22 are provided in the lower portion of said casing. Each of these openings is closed by a diaphragm, those in the upper portion being designated 23 and those in the lower portion, 24. These diaphragms are secured by collars to the valve stems, so that no possible leakage of air can occur around said stems; said diaphragms being made of rubber, prepared fabric or any suitable material. Two series of brackets are provided respectively upon the upper and lower sides of casing 1Q, the upper brackets being designated 25 and the lower 26. These brackets serve as guides for the valve stems, 'so that the latter are only free to reciprocatetherethrough. A spring 27 bears upon the lower collar 28 of each of said valve stems, the other end of said spring engaging the inner side of bracket 26. Under the action of these springs the valve stems are normally maintained in their uppermost position, the

valves 2O being closed, and valves 19 being correspondingly open. This results in placing the pneumatics 9 iny communication with the high vacuum` conduit. The dia- -phragms may be made of substantially equal diameters, but I prefer to make the lower series 24 a trifie larger in area than the upper series 23. The valves and diaphragms should be so proportioned to each other as to effect a substantial balance of pressures, the springs 27 being principally relied upon to normally maintain valves 20 closed. Upon each of the upper ends of the stems 18 is provided a somewhat conically shaped head or button 29, and disposed in alinement with these buttons is the valve controlling device 30.

The construction of this mechanism is simple; but, I believe, decidedly novelftothis and other arts. I form either in one piece or in several, a spiraled semiecircular sleeve or cover'as shown in Fig. 10. In my preferred form, sections taken at intervals through this structure will be substantially semi-circular in outline, but the circular portion may be greater or less than 186. A warped surface is generated by the dlametral elements as they advance from end to end of the 'structure while simultaneously rotating about the axis thereof, and the l1ne of intersection of this surface with the cylindrical surface of the sleeve is substantially helical. The cover-may be formed, 1f desired, of separable pieces or elements 31-32, as shown in Fig. l0; said elements being preferably semi-circular fianges 33 which' may be bolted or secured together 1n any suitable manner, as by screws 34. The cover is interiorly grooved or recessed throughout its length, as at 36, and each end thereof is provided with a flange 37. YA transverse section through any one of the flanged portions will afforda circular outline. This spiraled cover may be formed of various materials, such for example, as steel, porcelain, glass, wood, brass, etc., but I prefer to make it of glass and in such lengths that the members can be conveniently pressed in molds. This not only affords a very cheap construction; but the surface obtained thereby is exceedingly hard and of high polish, the advantage of which will be presently evident.

A core bar or supportingtube or rod 38, preferably round in section, is provided of such diameter that it will neatly fit into the holes 39 at the extremities of the spiraled,

cover, and through the groove 36 therein. The spiraled cover is hence, even though made of glass, supported firmly throughout its length'upon the rigid metal bar 38 by means of the semi-circular fianges aforesaid. After the bar is in place in the cover, the spiraled strips or elements 40 are secured to said bar by screws 41 orithe like. Elements 40 fit snugly but freely between the respective iiange portions of the cover, so that the core is free to move only rotatively, and that through approximately 90. The degree of movement, however, isl capable of being varied considerably. One end of the core bar 38, if the latter be solid, is bored out as shown at 42 in Fig. 13, and a diagonally disposed slot 43 is cut throu h theshell which may be thus formed in t e end of the core bar as shown in Fio. 13. A plunger or expander rod 44 is neatly insertable into the recess 42 and a spring 45, which bears against the end of said plunger, normally tends to drive thev latter to its outer-most position. Upon one side of plunger 44 is placed a T-shaped member 46. being referably secured to the plunger or expan er rodvby driving the base of the T-shaped member into a slot in said rod and .securing the same in any manner desired,

Ine

'tieally closed. i et parts 32 and 40 in the manner shown at lll/ie Web of the "lslieped member is disposed with respect to the axis of the plunger upon an angle which corresponds to that which the-slot i3 crosses over the surface of bar lll/'hen the expander rod fl is driven down into the recess in the core bar 38, it is evident that if said rod be held against" rotation, the core bar 38 will rotate clock Wise, and conversely, 'when the plunger is released and allowed to spring outwardly, the bar Will rotate coiniter-cloclnvise. A. spiral or helical spring l? surrounds the outezniost andA exposed end of the core bar and one end of said spring is secured to said bar at d8, While the other end is se'- cured to the spiral cover at 4:9; the spring being so arranged that one side of each of the spiraled elements 40 normally tends to approach and make Contact with the corresponding side or edge of the spiral cover, as shown at 50 in Fig. lll. @ne ol?" the sides oi? the spiraled cover adjacent the flange 3'? is angularly cut away as 5l, and one edge et the correspending` spiraled elexnenL Ll-G is in like manner cut away at 52, as shown in The angle' with respect to the cover axis -at which these parts ae cut con responds to the angular disposition of the inclined sides ol the lshaped part 46, with eespect to the axis of the bai 4S. lt theretore follows that il? the expander lilbe shoved 1n, belng held against rotation 1nean and il() will again approach, and the slot 50 Will be narrowed down until it is ,peacpreier to round the edges 54- in Fig. l g lout the radius of curvature ot such rounded edges may be considerable loss than' that shown. A groove is provided alongv one side of 'the spiraled cover, said groove preferably beginning at the point shown in Fig. 19 `Where the helical line in.-

tersectsthe inner edge ot iange 37; `iis groove extends parallel to the anis of me Whole device substantially from one end 'the respective ends thereof by brackets thereof to the other.

The spiraled valve controllingI de'x'fice alcove described'is suitably supported upon.

7 being held against longitudinal displacement by the extremities of the core rod 38. Mounted in the bottoni sortion of the i'oll box l, is a dummy or indicator spialed desee-i Vice 58 which is considerably 'than the operating4 device, `preiferably being slightly less than the length of the'loll boX. The duininy or indicznbing` devicevis constructed in substantially similar fesliioii 'the valve operating device, but the Aseye paris thereoiE inay be of instal, and the os side ci the spiraledcoyei' 59 is pre/tera;JA 'whitened While the outside ot the corel d 60 thereof is blackened, as by enanieling or oxidizing such surface. The Warped sui."- :f'iaces constitut'ng4 the 'flanks of the shallowT slot are also suitably blackened. lThe outside of the dummy spiraling element 82 is also Wliitened, and in. front of the dummy s@ is placed an arcuate screen 63 having a slot lleitherein, llt will thus be seen that as the duininy is rotated, a black spot of gieeter or less length will be exposed through slot Sel-,and that this spot may, further, appan ently be snede to nio-Je up and vdown the s slot. 'llhe expander 1sod `6G of the dummy extended until the end there t' is si. i,

.e expander ,rod Lloi the 'Valve operating structure. The extremity 67 of thorod and the corresponding extremity o rod oo are each somewhat pointed as shoe/n at 67 in Fig. le, and these pointed portions 'respectively engage pivoted sockets 68, said sockets being` pivoted to lever 69 by suitable shoulder bolts 7() or the like, and beine' p able oflbut a limited oscillatory mos' lie.reupon by reason of limit pins Tl. c posed for engagement with the respec.. sides of said socket members. The tap-sied or conical endsof the expander rodsv seated in their respective socket members in cavities I2 therein. These socket ineinbes substantially obviate lateral thrust upon. the eznpandei1 rods. liever 69 is pivoted at 73 to bracket T, which may be secuied to oh. inner side o the piano casinff. The projectH ing lug '75 is formed upon one side of lever", and said lug is adapted for ment with an adjustable screw 76, 77 normally maintaining said lug; c cA with said El cord or chain 78 is sellll cured to said lever at 79, and in the cons tion shown, said cord passes over a sin pulley 8G and from thence downwaidly;

crank lll. Bell crank 8l is pivotallposted 8s, the pivot pin being; ,can` any suitab bracket mounted upon the piano casing. crank all is joined t disposed sr. .sant Heath the unile; iv

ll El Il. link oo arm of said bell crank being in turn secured to a rod 87, and bein normally restrained in a forward positiony a` sprin 88. It is evident therefore that when rod 8 is pressed inwardly, link 85 will bemoved in the direction of the arrow shown adjacent thereto, and in likemanner, link 83v and chain or cord 78 will `move in the correspondingly indicated direct-ions. Lever7 9 will be caused to swing inwardly from the side of the piano casing, and thereby cause a translation of expander rods 44 and 66, resulting in spreading the slots of the spiral operating member and of the dummy to a greater or less degree, and in corresponding amounts. The expander rod 66 is suitably supported by brackets 89 and 90, the latter brackets p0- sition alone being indicated. Adjacent the outer extremity of said rod 66 is a small sprocket 91 which is connected by a suitable chain 92 to a correspondingly sized sprocket 93 on the plunger or expander rod 44. Hence the spiraling members will rotate in unison and the rotation of both is accomplished by means of a sprocket 94, which is positioned adjacent sprocket 93, and which is connected to a sprocket 95 mounted upon a shaft 96, chain 97 affording connection between sprockets 94 and 95.

The apparatus for rotating shaft 96 is shown in Figs. 1 and 7. The said shaft is suitably journaled at points 98 in brackets of any description which may be supported from the lower portion of the front of the piano casing, and a drum 99 is keyed or otherwise secured to shaft 96, preferably somewhat to one side of the center of the piano. A cord 100 passes over the respective ends of drum 99 and around idlers 101 and 102, in such fashion that the shaft may be rotated in either direction by moving the straight portion 103 of the cord which eX- tends between idlers 101 and 102, in one direction or the other. A pair of supportingv brackets 104 is preferably secured to the underside of the front of the piano casing, and a bar 105 of rectangular cross section is slidably mounted in said brackets. A bolt 106 extends laterally through the center of the bar 105 and the straight portion 103 of cord 100 is secured to the end of said bolt by a set screw 107 or by any other suitable means. The headl of bolt 106 is shown at 108, and is provided with a V-shaped slot 109 having a parallel-sided recess 110 in the bottom thereof. A spring 111 normally serves to draw bar 105 toward one end of its path of movement. Beneath the piano front is a bracket 112 having a hole 113 bored therethrough, and in said hole a sleeve 114 is secured by a driving fit or in any other suitable manner, the said sleeve being provided with a slot 115 of peculiar formation, shown in Fig. 4.

It will be observed that the forward end of slot 115 is in parallelism with the end of the sleeve. The hollow shaft 116 neatly fits in sleeve 114, so as to be freely movable therein, and a pin 117 in said shaft extends outwardly therefrom into engagement with slot 115. Upon the outer end of shaft 116 is a collar 118 secured in any suitable manner thereon. Said collar is provided with ears 119 between which is pivotally mounted a lug 120. Lug 120 is an integral part of a bent handle 121, said handle comprising a rearwardly extending portion 122 and an upwardly sloping portion 123. At the upper extremity of portion 123 is a handle 124. One side of said handle is formed by a. member 125, said member being pivoted at 126 to a lugr 127 which extends laterally outward from portion 123. The handle is grooved through a portion of the lengt-h thereof as at 128, preferably along the side adjacent the piano and a hole 129 is provided at the bottom of portion 122, through which a tube 130'of flexible rubber or the like may be passed; said ytube extending thence upward through portion 123 and thro-ugh a side of the handle 124 and being finally engaged with a teat 131 positioned at the inner extremity of the sleevelike member 132, said member being driven into handle 124 or secured therein by any other suitable means. Screwed into the outer end of sleeve 132 is a valve sleeve 133, in which moves the prong 134 of a valve 135. Valve 135 is provided with an enlarged portion 136 which seats against leather washer 137 which in turn bears against the extremity of valve sleeve 133. The stem of valve 135 is slightly iattened at one extremity thereof, as shown at 136', to permit of air passing' through the chamber formed inthe sleeve 132, to the rubber tube 130. A spring 137 normally tends to keep the valve closed, but it is evident that lateral pressure, as for example, that readily applicable by the thumb of the operator to pivoted member 1 25, will cause valve 135 to open and admit air to tube 130.

At the lower portion of the operating lever or handle 121 upon the rearward extremity of portion 122 thereof is a plate-like lug 138, the lateral extremities of which are slightly rounded, as indicated at 139. The lug in question is preferably formed in the arc of a circle, the center of which is the axis of shaft 116. Above said shaft is a sleeved aperture 140 which extends through an upper portion of the bracket 112. In this aperture is a sleeve 141 which is slotted longitudinally at 142 thereof along one side. The said .sleeve is driven firmly into aperture 140, and carries therein the link member 86 hereinbefore referred to. A pin 142 projects outwardly from rod 87 and into engagement with the said slot, thereby pre' venting said link from rotating. The outer extremity of rod 87 is forked as shown at y such forked portion.

finto, the fiat face of lug 138 will remain in contact with roller 144 without causing translation of rod 87. It will be observed, however, that motion of the handle toward or from the piano, will cause rod 87- to be I correspondingly moved though in lesser degree. .This latter movement of handle 124 affords therefore the means of controlling the' expanding rods of the spiraled members... Mounted upon the rear end of rod 116 is an arm 145, which extends in substantial parallelism with vthe lug 119 0f the collar at the outer extremity of said shaft. .Eorwardly' projecting from. the extremity of arm-145' is a pin 146, and said pin is adapted toenter the V-shaped slot 109 of the boltyshead v108 hereinbefore referred to. Whenrfully entered into said slot, the pin 146 wllneatly engage the portion 110 at p they base of said slot.l It will be readily `socntherefore, from the foregoing construc-A tion, that if handle 124 be oscillated from said slot will `permit of the shaft being one side 'to the other when pin 146. is in engagement with slot1'10, the rod 116 will be rotated, thereby moving the arm 145 and bar105 to cause lthe cord 100 to rotate the drum 99, whereupon the shaft 96 will be correspondingly rotated in one direction or they other, and that hence the spiraled members will be so rotated.

Itis desirable when the player action is not in use that the handle 124 should be removed from sight, which is readily accomplished by rotating the same t0 the left through somewhat over 90.

The pinv 117 will follow slot 115, and when the shaft has been rotated into the posit-ion aforesaid, the

' vanced inwardly through bracket 112 and sleeve 114, so that the handle may be shoved rearward entirely beneath the piano front, simultaneously lifting itself into close proximity thereto by reason of the upward trend of slot 115. Vhile this is being done pin 146 disengages from slot 110 and bar 105 is drawn by spring 111 to the left. When the handle isv again drawn forward and out from under the piano front, it will necessarily rotate through ,a path corresponding to that through which it previously moved. In so doing, ypin 110 will enter the V-shaped slot 109, and Iinally the portion 110 thereof, thereby rengaging with member 108 and moving thenlatter over toward its median position. For convenience and compactness T. have chosen to position shaft 96 so as to extend through an aperture 147 in bracket '112. The shaft 116 has already been described as being hollow, and the tube 130 is suitably connected to such hollow portion.

At the other extremity of the shaft a flexible therefor uponv a movable part, the function v of which is to control the expression devices provided in connection therewith; a decidedly useful combination being the result and one whichadapts itself to ready maa nipulation by the operator. Suffice it to say, therefore, that the admission of oir to the tube 148 effects the exhaustion of the sostenuto pneumatic in the usual manner, a slight movement and pressure of the operators thumb against the pivoted member or finger piece 125 effecting this desired result, no matter where the handle may hapen to be disposed at the time. If now iiandle 124 be moved to and fro in parallelism to the front of the piano, the spiraled members .will be correspondingly rotated and the substantially closed slot of the 0perating spiral member will successively permit, if the edges of the slot be properly rounded, one valve stem after another to rise into the slight depression caused by rounding the edges under the influence of its spring 27, to be immediately thereafter' depressed again when the valve stem head4 is pressed out of the spiral slot; the spring 27 being relatively quite weak when compared to theslot closing spring, and .hence being unable to wedge apart the spiraled members. By now pressing handle 124 inwardly toward the piano the spiral slot is correspondingly widened, the expander or plunger rod 44 causing members 46 to separate members 40 and 32 permitting a greater number of valve stems to rise at any particular point. By reasonof the fact that the wedge-like action of the T-shaped member 46 is equally exerted upon both the spiral cover and the spiral strips or elements, the slot opens an equal amount upon each side of its median point if handle 124 be merely pressed directly inward toward the plano. The paper roll, a fragment of which is 1ndicated in Fig. 8, should preferably, although not at all necessarily, be marked with two distinctV lines 149-150, between which are to be found the notes to be accented. As the roll advances over the tracker, while playing, it becomes possible by means of these lines to accent any note or notes which should be accented by merely moving the handle 124 in such manner as to cause the spot 65, apparently moving in slot 64 of the screen 63, to aline with the tracker alined points upon the lines 149-150.

By throwing lever 124 entirely to the right for example, although it may be equally well arranged to be to the left, the spira-l operating member is rotated to a position where the groove 55 thereof extends in alinement with and directly over all of the valve stems. This immediately permits all of said stems to rise, closing the lower valves and throwing all of the pneumatics into communication with the high vacuum conduit. When this is done the corresponding blackened line upon the dummy will cause the slot 64 to appear black for its entire extent.

In Figs. 17 and 18, I have shown a modification of the end of the spiraled parts which possesses many advantages. The spiral cover is shown at 32 and the end thereof, as shown in Fig. 18, is provided with a diagonally sloping slot 151, said slot extending from the inner face of the cover thereinto, but not entirely therethrough save for the aperture 152 provided at the inner extremity of said slot. In place ofusing a T-shaped member 46 in this form of construction, I prefer to employ a roller 153 which is mounted upon the shoulder bolt 154, the latter being screwed lirmly into the expander rod 44. The shell-like end of core rod 38 is shown slotted, the said bolt extending upward through the said slot. The slot in this instance is preferably diagonally disposed in corresponding fashion to that shown in Fig. 13. By reason of this formation, it becomes possible to do away with the spring 47, since the roller 158 by reason of its close engagement with the sides of slots 151 will necessarily pull the members together or apart in a positive manner. Spring 45 should preferably be used however in connection with this form of device in similar fashion to that shown in Fig. 13. The roller and shoulder bolt are emplaceable in position through aperture 152.

Fig. 20 illustrates a modication of the valve system which may be used in connection with the spiraled parts in like manner to the corresponding structure shown in Fig. 1. In this form of construction, however, instead of using a high and also a low vacuum, I connect conduits 14 and 16 to the same vacuum chamber, so that the relative rarefication is substantially the same upon each side of the pneumatic valve cells or chambers. The respective ports leading from conduits 14 and 16 in this instance are shown at 155 and 156. The valve stem 18 is herein provided with but a single valve 157, and a small aperture 158 is provided around each of said stems in the partition 12. IVhen the valve stem is in its downward position the vacuum in each of the valve chambers will be substantially the same as that in conduit 16. and as the apertures 158 are quite small' when the valve 8 is opened in any f given chamber, the rapidity with which the air in the corresponding pneumatic 9 can be withdrawn will be relatively slow, being impeded by the small size of said apertures 158. However, when the valve stem is permitted to rise under the action of spring 27, the valve 157 will open and permit the exhaustion of air from such pneumatic much more rapidly, thereby causing the hammer operated by such pneumatic to strike against its string or strings with greater momentum, and it follows from this that when one or more of valve stems 18 are allowed to rise through the action of the valve controlling device, the corresponding strings when struck will vibrate more intensely and thereby cause such notes to be accented.

Having now disclosed the particular construction ef the above embodiments of my invention, what I desire to particularly point out is the results which may be obtained by the use thereof. In the first place, by varying` the degree of vacuum and hence of the rate of exhaust from the pneumatics, I am enabled to accent any desired note or group of notes in a given chord, and this without altering the timbre of any of the notes struck.

It has been customary to modulate the intensity of tone in pianos by employing a felt strip or curtain which is made capable of being depressed and interposed between the hammers and the strings. The use of such a curtain produces a peculiar tangy quality in the notes struck and the timbre is materially altered. Then this device has not been employed it has been customary particularly in the player piano art, to employ some device for lifting forward the hammer rest rail or a section thereof so that the hammers traverse a considerably less arc when actuated and thereby produce softer tones. This expedient is, however, also objectionable, although probably not se much as the other, in that the tone quality is impaired and the timbre materially changed. This may be clearly demonstrated by still further shortening the stroke of the hammers, when even to the most unpractised ear, thethud-like quality of the tone so produced willv become apparent. By permitting the hammers to traverse the entire length of their stroke and merely altering the intensity of the blow delivered to them by the pneumatic, it becomes possible to maintainy the timbre unimpaired while altering the weight or intensity of the tene. My device hence is capable of causing one, two, or more tones to be accented and to stand out plainly from lthe back ground formed by the remainin notes of a chord. The notes can he accente individually picking out one note at a time no matter where it may occur, or a group of notes may be similarly accented. The operator is enabled to effect this result by manipulating a single lever or handle, preferably by the left hand, and when he desires to throw off the subduing device and allow every tone struck to stand out in equal' degree, it is merely necessary to rotate said, handle entirely over to one side until groove is in engagement with all of the heads 29, of the valve stems. The sostenuto pneumatic may be applied by pressing the thumb of the same hand against .the side 125 of the handle and by means of the lines 149-150 on the paper, the inexperienced performer is enabled to play a piece of music with considerable expression. The operator may or may not follow the guide lines 149--1'50 with the respective extremities of the black spot 65, as he may see fit. If he wishes to follow said lines to thereby strictly follow the accenting scheme, he does so by pressing a Vainst the operating handle until the width o the black spot corresponds with that between the lines, determined by their intersections with the line of the tracker, and then by moving the handle to right or left he alines the extremities of the spot with the respective points on the guide lines.

In the arrangement of parts as herein set forth, the accented notes may comprise approximately one half of the whole number for which the player is adapted. Thus if an 88 note player be used, the device may be made to accent 44 notes consecu.

tively disposed any where alon board. By varying the size of t e spiraled parts and the arcuate measurements thereof it is possible to compass the entire register within the accented sita-tes spiraled controls several inches in diameter however it is desirable to limit the the keygroup. As this necescompass to one half of the register, which. owing to the adjustability of said compass; is amply suicient for all practical purposes. l

Finally the radius of curvature 4or rounding of the edges of members 32 and 40 will de-, termlne whether one, or a plurality, or none,

of the valve stems shall be freed at any.

given instant, the expander rod being inf its -outermost position.

suitable description;

matically indicated a hammer and string Ior a piano; the hammer being designated 159,;

and the string 160;

What I claim, is:

pable y'of exerting being variable, fa rseries ot ,L instrument, a series of note soundin f a series of pneumatics therefor, a hig 1. In a musical instrument, -a plurality devices for varying the intensity of force exerted by some of said elements as compared to others, and manually controlled means for yactuating said devices, said means including two controlling elements movable with respect to each other and also movable together, means for moving said elements with respectI to each other, and supplemental means for moving said elements together.

'2. In a musical instrument, a plurality of note sounding parts, force y.applying elements. cooperating with said parts, the intensity of force which said elements are capable of exerting being variable, a series of devices for varying the intensity of force exerted by some elements as compared to others, and manually controlled means for actuating said devices. said means including a handle, two controlling elements movable with respect to each other and also movable together, means, including connections to said handle, for moving said elements with respect to each other, and supplemental means, including connections to the same handle, for moving said elements together.

3. In a musical instrument, a plurality of note-sounding parts, force applying elements cooperating with said parts, the intensity of force which said elements are capable of exerting being variable, a series of devices for varying the intensity of force exerted by some of said elements as compared to others, manually controlled means for actuating said devices, said means comprising a manipulating part, mechanism controlled by said par-t adapted to actuat-e said series, and auxiliary co-acting mechanism for disposing said variable numbers wherever desired in the series, said co-acting mechanism also being controlled by said man-ipulatable part, said part being nor` mally substantially equally free to yield to pressure exerted against portions thereof from a plurality of directions substantially at right angles to each other and to actuate the first mentioned mechanism when pressure from but one of said directions is exerted against one portion, while leaving said (zo-acting mechanism undisturbed, and to Aactuate the latter while leaving the first mechanism undisturbed when a pressure at substantially lright angles to said one is l -exerted thereagainst, both said irst men- The tone sounding devlces maybe of any 5 and I have diagramtioned mechanism and said co-act-ing mechanism being adapted also to be simultaneously actuated by said part.

4:. In a pneumatically operated musical parts, vacuum exhaust trunk and a low vacuum exhaust trunk, a series of valves controlling communication between said pneumatics and said trunks, and means for actuating said valves .at will, -fsaid vmeans .comprising .a handle ,and

materially variable numbers of devices in mechanism, controlled by said handle, hav-I tively displaced, and means for simultav of devices for varying the intensity of forcek neously indicating said number.

6. In a musical instrument, a plurality of note sounding parts, force applying elements coperating with said parts, the intensity of force which said elements are capable of exerting being variable, a series exerted by some elements as compared to others, andv manually controlled means for actuating said devices, said means compris ing a handle and two controlling elements actuated by movements of said handle, said two controlling elements being movable with respect to each other and also being movable together, said two4 elements adapted to successively actuate said devices when moved in the manner last mentioned.

7. In pneumatically operated musical instruments, a series of note sounding parts, a series of pneumatics therefor, a series of valves for said pneumatics, and a series of valve chambers, a series of elements each of which is provided with air controlling means, a plurality of air conduits, a unitary structure for actuating a materially variable number of said elements, whereby the corresponding pneumatics may open into one or another of said conduits, and co-acting mechanism for indicating the particular elements afected.

8. In pneumatica-Hy operated musical instruments, a series of note sounding parts, a series of pneumatics therefor, a series o valves for said pneumatics, and a series of valve chambers, a series of elements each of which is provided with air controlling means, a plurality of valve conduits, and a rotatable cylindriform structure for actuating any one of said elements, whereby the corresponding pneumatic may open into one or another of said conduits.

9. In pneumatically operated musical instruments, a series of note sounding parts, a series of pneumatics therefor, a series of valves for said pneumatics and a series of valve chambers, a series of elements each of which is provided with air controlling mea-ns, a plurality of air conduits adapted to be placed in communication with said valvechambers, a unitary structure adapted to actuate variable members of said elements,

said structure comprising two portions adapted for movement toward and from each other, the location of said portions with respect to each other determining the number of elements to be actuated.

10. In pneumatically operated musical instruments, a series of note sounding parts, a series of pneumatics therefor, a series of valves for said pneumatics and a series of valve chambers, a series of element-s each of which is provided with air controlling means, a plurality of air conduits adapted to be placed in communication with said valve chambers, a structure having a crevice therein the width of which is variable, and means for varying the width of said crevice.

11. In pneumatically operated musical in` struments, a series of note sounding parts, a series of pneumatics therefor, a series of valves for said pneumatics and a series of valve chambers, a series of elements each of which is provided with air controlling means, a plurality of air conduits adapted to be placed in communication with said valve chambers, 'a revolubly mounted structureI having a crevice therein the width of which is variable, and means for varying the width of said crevice.

12. In musical instruments, a series of note-sounding parts corresponding to an extended portion, at least, of the gamut, actuating means for said parts, and an expression device comprising means for intluencing the action of said parts, said last mentioned means coperating with said actuating means to cause accentuation of variable sized numbers of said notes and to dispose said numbers wherever desired in said portion of the gamut, said expression devices having a manually operable control- -ling structure adapted for substantially instant control by one hand, said structure adapted to co-act with said last mentioned means to simultaneously determine the number of notes subject to accentuation and to locate said notes where desired in said portion of the gamut, and co-acting means for simultaneously indicating the location in the gamut of substantially all of the notes so rendered subject to accentuation.

13. In musical instruments, a series of note-sounding parts corresponding to an extended portion, at least, of the gamut, actuating means for said parts, and an expression device comprising means for influencing the action of said parts, said last mentioned means coperating with said actuating means to cause accentuation of variable sized numbers of said notes and to dispose said numbers wherever desired in said portion 03": the gamut, said expression device having onlyI a single controlling handle adapted to co-act with said last mentioned means to simultaneously determine the number of notes subject to accentuation and to 4respect to another, means for moving tvvo ,offsaid members together, a single lever for actuating both of said last mentioned means,

'and connections between said lever and said tivo last mentioned means.l

15. In musical instruments, means for sounding a chord the tone values of the respective notes of Which are of varying intensity, comprising note sounding devices, operating means therefor, and mechanism for regulating the intensity of action of said note sounding devices, said mechanism including a plurality of coperating members, means for moving one of said members With respect to anotherin one direction, means for moving one of said members With respect to another in another direction, and means for effecting said movements substantially simultaneously.

- 16. -In musical instruments, means for sounding a chord the tone values of the -respective notes of Which are of varying intensity, comprising note sounding devices, operating means therefor, and mechanism for regulating the intensity of action of said note sounding devices, said mechanism including a plurality of coperating rotatable members, the relative positions of which, With respect to each other, determine the number of notes in a chord which are tobe accented, means for 4rotating one of said members inl one direction, and means for rotating one of said members in another di rection.

17. In musical instruments, means for sounding a chord the tone values of the respective notes of which are of varying intensity, comprising note sounding devices, operating means therefor, and mechanism for regulating the intensity of action of said note sounding devices, said mechanism including a plurality of coperating members, one at least of which is rotatable, means for rotating said rotatable member, and means for moving anotherl of said members, the relative positions of said members, with ren spect to each other, determining the number of notes in a chord which are to b e accented.

18. In musical instruments, means for sounding a chord the tone values of the respective notes of which are of varying intensity comprising note sounding devices, operating means therefor, and mechanism for regulating the intensity of action of said note sounding devices, said mechanism including a plurality of coperating members, means for moving one of said members with respect to another, in one direction, means for moving one of said members with respect to another, in another direction, and ja spring for normally holding said mem- .c bers in predetermined relationship.

19. In musical instruments, means for sounding a chord the tone values of the respective notes of which are of varying intensity, comprising note sounding devices, operating means therefor, and mechanism for regulating the intensity of action of said note sounding devices, said mechanism including a plurality of coperating members, means for moving one of said members With respect to another, in one direction, means for moving one of said members With respect to another in another direction, and means for normally holding said members in predetermined relationship.

20. In musical instruments, means for sounding a chord the tone values of the respective notes of which are of varying intensity, comprising note sounding devices, operating means therefor, and mechanism for regulating the intensity of action of said note sounding devices, said mechanism including a plurality of ooperating members, means for moving one of said members, With respect to another, in one direction, means for moving one of said members With respect to another in another direction, means for normally holding said members in predetermined relationship, an operating handie, and connections between said handle and one of said member moving means.

2l. In musical instruments, a series of note sounding parts, an expression device comprisingan element mountedto permit a point therein to be positioned in any part \of a predetermined surface, means controlled bythe relative disposition of said point in said surface for determining the relative tone values produceable by said note sounding parts, indicating means, and apparatus for actuating said means in substantial coincidence With the movement ofl said elements.

22. In musical instruments, means for sounding a chord the tone values of the .respective notes of which are of varying mtensity, comprisin note sounding devices, operating means ierefor, and mechanism for regulating the intensity of action of said note sounding devices, said mechanism including a plurality of cooperating members, v l

means for moving one of said members with respect to another, in one direction, means for moving one of said members with respect to another in another direction, an operating handle, means for normally holding said note sounding devices, said mechanism in! cluding a plurality of cooperating members, means for moving one of said members with respect to another, in one direction, meansfor moving one of said members with respect to another 1n another direction, means for normallyholding said members in predetermined relationship, an operating handle, and connections between said handle and both of said member moving means, said handle beingmounted for movement in a plurality of planes.

24. In musicalinstruments, means for sounding a chord the tone values of the respective notes of Which are of varying intensity, comprising noteA sounding devices, operating means therefor, and mechanism vfor regulating the intensity of action of said note sounding devices, said mechanism including a plurality of coperating members, means for moving one of said: members with respect to another, in one direction, means for moving one of said members with respect to another in another direction, means for normally holding` said members in predetermined relationship, indicating means, and connections between said indicating means and said members.

In ymusical instruments, means for sounding a chord the tone values of the respective notesof which are of varying intensity, comprising note sounding devices, operating means therefor, vand mechanism for regulating the intensity of action of said note sounding devices, said mechanism comprising, a plurality of coperating members rotatably mounted on a common axis, means for displacing parts of one of said members With respect to corresponding parts of another of said members, and manually controlled means for movingr said members together.

26. In pneumatically operated musical instruments, a series of note-sounding parts, a series of pneumatics therefor, a valve chest, a series of valves for said pneumatics and a. series of valve chambers, a series of elements each of. which is provided withl air controlling means, a plurality of air conduits, a manually operable member and cooperating means therefor for actuating any one of a plurality of said elements whereby the corresponding pneumatic may open into one or lanother of said conduits, said member being mounted for movement in a plurality of planes and means controlled by the movement of said member into different planes for correspondingly varying the number of elements actuated.

27. In musical instruments, means for sounding a chord the tone values of the re` spective notes of which are of varying intensity, comprising note sounding devices, operating means therefor, and mechanismy for regulating the intensity of action of said note sounding devices, said mechanism including two rotatably mounted coperating members, and means for moving said members apart to form a slot therebetween'.

l28. In musical instruments, means for sounding a chord the tone 'values of the respective notes of which are of varying intensity, comprising note sounding devices, operating means therefor, and means for regulating the intensity of action of said note sounding devices, said last mentioned means involving a plurality of coperating spiraled members, and means for displacing parts of one of said members with respect to corresponding parts of another of said members.

29. In musical instruments, means for sounding a chord the tone values of the respective notes of which are of varying intensity, comprising note sounding devices, operating means therefor, and means for regulating the intensity of actionof said note sounding devices, said last mentioned means involving a plurality of coperating spiraled members rotatably mounted on a common axis, and means for displacing parts of one of said members with respect to corresponding parts of another of said members.

30. In pneumaticallv operated musical instruments, note sounding'devices, an eX- pression device for controlling the accentuation of notes, said devices including a series of valve stems, valves therefor, diaphragme attached to said valve stems, said diaphraglns each having an area substantially equal to that of one of said valves, and means for successively moving said valve stems, each of said diaphragms adapted to sustain a pressure substantially equal to that on a corresponding valve.

31. In musical instruments, note sounding devices, an expression device for controlling the accentuation of notes, said device comprising an operatino' structure having'anf opening therein, an an indicating structure also having an opening therein, means for closing said opening in said operating structure, in part at least, and means for simultaneously closing the opening in said indicating structure. 1

32. In musical instruments, means for, sounding a chord the tone values of the respective notes of' which are of varying in. tensity, comprising note-sounding devices,l

niemeer i operating means therefor, and mechanism for regulating the intensity et' action of said note-soundin devices, said mechanism including a p urality of fcoperating menibers, means for moving one of said members with respect to another, means for moving two of said members simultaneously, a single lever for actuating both of said last mentioned means and connections between said lever and said two last mentioned means.

33. In a musical instrument, a plurality of note-sounding members, force r applying elements cooperating with said parts, the intensity of force which said elements are capable of exerting being. variable, a series of devices for varying the intensity of force exerted by some of said elements as coinpared to others, manually controlled means for actuating;` said devices said means including two controlling elements movable with respect to each other and also movable together, means :for moving said elements with respect to'each other, and means, structurally different from the means last mentioned, for moving said elements togelhen 34. In a pneumatically operated musical instrument, a series of n Ote-soundiugl parte, a series of pneumatics therefor, a high vacuum exhaust trunk and a low vacuum exhaust trunk, a series of valves controlling communication between said pneumutics and said trunks, and means for actuating said valves at will, said means .comprising a handie, two valve-controlling elements movable with respect to each other, and means controlled by said handle for moving said elements.

35. ln a musical instrument, a plurality of note-sounding parte, force applying clemente cooperating with .said parts, the iutensity of force which said elements are eapable of exerting being variable, a series of devices for varying; the intensity of force exerted by some of said elements es compared to others, manually cont-rolled means for actuating said devices, said means comprising; a muuipulutable part, mechanism controlled by said part'adapted to aetuate materially variable numbers of devices in said series, and correspondingly variably acting mechanism for indicating the particular force applying elements affected.

36. In pneumatieally operated musical in struments, a series ol' note-sounding parts, a series of pneumalics therefor, a series of valves for said puemnatics, a series of valve chambers, a plurality or conduits adapted to be placed in communication with said chambers, a series ci' elements each of which is provided with means for controlling communication between said chambers and conduits, and a rotatable structure, said structure adapted, when rotated in a given direction, to successively actuate determined elements in said series of elements while substantially simultaneously releasing other elements, previously subjected to actuation thereby, from its influence.

ln Witness whereof, l subscribe my signature, in the presence of two Witnesses.

CHAS. l. HIDDEN.

lVitnesses Wanne M. CHAPIN, FnANcls Genn.

@epica et this patent may be obtained for uve cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents. Washington, ID. 0. 

